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AlbertaLiberal Leader David Swann says the NDP’s proposal for increasing the minimum wage lacks balance and says the increases should be accompanied by small business tax reductions.

“Trusted leadership is about balance,” says Swann. “We have generally supported minimum wage increases. However, the NDP seem determined to raise the minimum wage on an artificial timeline without considering the impact it will have on small businesses in these hard economic times.”

Alberta Liberals have called for an economic impact study that specifically looks into the effect rapidly raising the minimum wage will have on small businesses.

“There is still time for that assessment,” says Swann. “The government, to its real credit, is taking the time to study our infrastructure plan, our climate change plan, democratic renewal and several other pressing concerns. Yet, on this file, they seem to have no interest in looking at available data or consulting with stakeholders.”

Swann is proposing that the government lower small business taxes in Alberta in order to soften the blow of this rapid increase in payroll costs. The New Democrats recently rejected a motion to lower the small business tax rate to two per cent – despite that motion having the support of all opposition parties.

“It would be a very positive way of shielding businesses from the impact of increasing their costs during this economic downturn.

“Small businesses are the key to diversifying our economy. I hope the NDP will do the right thing and support them.

AlbertaLiberal Leader David Swann announced his support for an amendment to Bill 2 that will lower Alberta’s small business tax rate from three to two per cent.

“In the last election Alberta Liberals campaigned on a promise to help small businesses in these tough economic times,” says Swann. “The amendment proposed by the Official Opposition does that, and I will support it.

“Too much of the debate surrounding Bill 2 thus far has been rooted in ideology, with both sides claiming the others beliefs will bring ruin to the province. With this amendment we have an opportunity to do some good for small businesses that are struggling.

“Small businesses are the key to diversifying our economy and we need to ensure that they can manage through the current economy and continue to grow. Lowering the small business tax rate would help with that.

“At the beginning of this session the new government made a powerful statement by reaching across the aisle and seeking to cooperate with other parties. I call on them to do so again by accepting this amendment.”

“Today is an opportunity to remember the role that First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people have played in making our country such a remarkable place to live. To be sure, that history contains innumerable stories of broken barriers and different peoples building communities together in friendship and cooperation.

“However, there is no forgetting and no question that too much of that shared history is a shameful chronicle of abuses, mistreatment, and cultural genocide.

“This year in particular it is my sincere hope that, in the aftermath of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, we will begin to turn a corner in that shared history towards healing and a new beginning.

“The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has come to an end. The work of the rest of us in implementing their recommendations, and creating a new relationship with our aboriginal populations, must now begin.